Description

Adenine Nucleotide Translocase 1 (ANT1) catalyzes the exchange of ADP and ATP across the mitochondrial inner membrane. It is is a key component of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PT pore) complex and is also one of the most abundant proteins in the mitochondrion making up approximately 10% of all mitochondrial proteins. Originally described as an ADP/ATP exchange factor, ANT1 has also been shown to be required for bax mediated apoptosis. This is effected by binding of bax to residues 105-156 of ANT1, presumably resulting in maintaining the PT pore in an open conformation. Interaction with bax is not required for ANT1 pro-apoptotic activity as overexpression of the ANT1 protein also leads to the induction of apoptosis.